Belgium's new Minister of Defence Theo Francken (N-VA) has responded to criticism of the lack of women in the new Federal Government, expressed surprise at the criticism given the current global issues.
"The world is on fire and there are bigger problems – this criticism astonished me," he stated on X. He believes that the competence of the individuals appointed as ministers is what matters most.
The newly formed Federal Government has drawn significant attention for its low number of female ministers. Out of fifteen ministers, only four are women, and there are no women in the core cabinet.
Francken addressed the criticism of the male-dominated government on X. "Each party selects its own representatives for the government. If a progressive party like Vooruit chooses two men for its two ministerial posts, the only relevant question should be: are they competent?" he argued. "Whether they are men or women is irrelevant."
He expressed disappointment that, in 2025, people still judge others based on their gender rather than their abilities. He added that the previous Vivaldi government, which had more women than men, did not necessarily perform well or gain much electoral support.
Francken pointed out that the Flemish Government has three men out of nine ministers. "No one complained about that at the start, and rightly so, because those women are outstanding," he noted.
He concluded by advocating for a society that values ideas, dedication, and effectiveness over one's gender. "Long live freedom. Long live meritocracy," Francken declared, implying male-female inequalities are due to ability.
